We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

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Culture Awareness Challenge

Do you have an idea? Bring awareness, education, or understanding to a cause that is important to you!

About the Challenge

The Culture Awareness Challenge is an opportunity for students at Ontario Tech University to share their vision for what is working well and what opportunities there are to make an impact on the greater Ontario Tech Community. Your ideas count - you can make a difference.

Students submit a proposal for an idea to improve campus culture through an event or initiative. These initiatives could be almost anything focused on improving student life and/or campus culture - choose a cause or topic that you’re passionate about!
Examples of events/initiatives from previous years include:

Lunar New Year Event (Cultural Awareness)
Gardening workshop (Sustainability)
Mindfulness workshop (Mental Health)

The winning challenge submission(s) will receive from $0 - $1000 based on the budget of the initiative thanks to the generous support from HydroOne, to turn their ideas into reality, along with any support they need from the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, and Women in Engineering.

Project timelines will vary based on the nature of the project itself (for example, the Lunar New Year event would take place around the Lunar New Year). However, planning and preparation for the programs will take place over the summer and the event or initiative will be implemented during the 2024-2025 school year.

Submission Deadline:

Sunday, March 10, 2024

How it works:

We welcome your stories, ideas, and your visions, big and small, on how you would like to make an impact on Cultural Awareness within the greater Ontario Tech community. Feel free to be creative, things like events, speaker series, workshop ideas, videos, music, photography, or art installations expressing your thoughts are welcome. Below you will find a Proposal Package with more information, and a template to use to draft your proposal.

1. Create your proposal:

Download and complete the Proposal Package by clicking here.

2. Submit your proposal:

SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL BY CLICKING HERE.

Important Dates

Friday, February 16

Submissions OPEN

Sunday, March 10

Submissions CLOSED

Friday, March 15

Winners Announced

Questions:

Please submit any questions to:
Madeline Sialtsis, Women in Engineering & Outreach Coordinator
madeline.sialtsis@ontariotechu.ca